Ohio’s Division of State Fire Marshal, located in Reynoldsburg, is the oldest established office of its kind in the United States. The Division’s mission is to safeguard the public, its property and the environment from fire and related risks through education, regulation, investigation and enforcement.

The State Fire Marshal's Office has worked extensively in the areas of Incident Command and Management, Weapons of Mass Destruction training, and personnel protection equipment for all of Ohio's first responders, including fire, EMS, law enforcement, health, and public works.

The SFM also is responsible for modernizing, promulgating and enforcing the Ohio Fire Code; designing and presenting fire prevention programs; analyzing fire-related criminal evidence; investigating the cause and origin of fires and explosions; training firefighters; providing fire safety education to business, industry and the general public; regulating underground storage tanks; testing and training; and licensing and certification support services.

Larry Flowers was appointed by Governor John R. Kasich as Ohio’s 37th State Fire Marshal in April 2011. He is responsible for overseeing the Ohio Fire Academy, Fire Forensic Laboratory, Bureaus of Fire Prevention, Code Enforcement, Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau, Bureau of Testing/Registration and Bureau of Underground Storage Tanks.

Prior to being named State Fire Marshal, Flowers proudly served the citizens of Ohio as a State Representative from 2001 to 2008, including being chosen as Majority Floor Leader of the House. He also served as the fire chief of the Madison Township Fire Department in Franklin County from 1978 to 2000. Most recently he served as the Madison Township Administrator.

Flowers began his fire service career as a volunteer in 1970 and then becoming a full-time firefighter and paramedic in 1974. (Continue reading here.)

The State Fire Council is an advisory body that represents stakeholders throughout the state and serves as a communication conduit between the Division of State Fire Marshal and the public.

The State Fire Council has many important responsibilities. The Council conducts the review and selection process that results in the appointment of the State Fire Marshal by the Director of Commerce. They conduct research, create reports on fire safety, and recommend to the Governor, the General Assembly, the Board of Building Standards, and other state agencies, any needed changes in laws, rules, or administrative policies relating to fire safety. The Council is also in charge of maintaining the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame.

The State Fire Council is made up of 10 qualified Ohioans appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. These members represent eight stakeholder groups, including the general public, regulated industries, the fire service and local government. Their mission is to help make Ohio safer from the hazards of fire and assist in reducing the regulatory burden on Ohio’s business community.

Nominate a firefighter, fire safety educator or fire service instructor for their act[s] above and beyond their basic duties and responsibilities, and for exemplifying the finest traditions of the fire service.

The State Fire Marshal News gives stakeholders a look inside the Division of State Fire Marshal. With regular columns from the Director of Commerce and the State Fire Marshal, updates from the individual Bureaus and insight into hot button issues for the fire service and first responders, our newsletter is a great way to stay informed.Sign up for media releases and future newslettersVisit our newsletter archives

The Code Enforcement Bureau has primary responsibility for standards set by the Ohio Fire Code. Inspectors work alongside local officials to conduct fire safety inspections to ensure Ohio’s schools, nursing homes and other facilities meet the high standard set by the Ohio Fire Code to safeguard the lives and property of some of Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens.

The Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau is a law enforcement agency tasked with investigating the origin and cause of fire, explosions and fireworks incidents in Ohio. Investigators stand ready, 24 hours a day, to assist local fire and police departments in combating the crime of arson and bringing perpetrators to justice.

In 1973, Ohio became the first state in the nation to develop a forensic laboratory specializing in fire and explosive evidence. The Division of State Fire Marshal Forensic Laboratory provides specialized investigative and training services to fire departments and law enforcement agencies across Ohio with professionalism and timely response. The team of scientists and fire specialists at the Forensic Laboratory conduct scientific examinations of ignitable liquids, fire debris, explosives, latent prints and video and audio evidence.

The Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) regulates the safe operation of underground storage tanks and supervises appropriate investigations and cleanup of suspected and confirmed releases from such tanks to protect human health and preserve the environment for the citizens of Ohio. BUSTR leadership and staff conduct inspections, educate underground storage tank owners and operators, and enforce state laws in compliance with federal regulations and guidelines.

Report Arson Activity

You can help the Fire and Explosions Investigation Bureau combat the crime of arson. If you see something, say something.
If you have information call 1-800-589-2728

GRANT & REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAMS

Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation (BUSTR) Revolving Loan

The Division of State Fire Marshal Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) is offering zero interest loans to any political subdivision, including Community Improvement Corporations, for the purpose of beginning, continuing, or completing the removal, assessment, or corrective action related to underground storage tanks located within that political subdivision’s geographic boundaries. The political subdivision awarded the loan will have to commit to spend an amount, from its own funds, equal to 5% of the loaned amount for any funded activities.

For UST or Environmental Questions, Please Contact: David Sauer, Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations at (614) 752-7096 or david.sauer@com.state.oh.us.

Firefighter I Training Grant

This grant provides funding to pay for the costs of providing Firefighter I or Firefighter I Transition certification courses free of charge to select students by SFM approved class providers. By partnering with eligible class providers, it is the goal of the SFM to ease the costs to local governments, promote shared services and broaden the availability of these courses throughout the state.

Volunteer Firefighter I Training Grant

The State Fire Marshal, through partnering with the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, has provided grant funding for the FY 2017 State Fire Marshal Volunteer Firefighter I Training Grant. This grant allocates
funding to pay for the costs of providing Firefighter I or Firefighter I Transition certification courses free of charge to “select students” by SFM approved class providers. By partnering with eligible class
providers, it is the goal of the SFM to ease the costs to local governments, promote shared services and broaden the availability of these courses throughout the state. Note: “Select students” are volunteer
firefighters affiliated, as members, with fire departments that pay premiums (or local jurisdictions that pay on behalf of the fire department) to the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation state insurance fund.

Fire Department Training Reimbursement Grant

Fire Departments that provide primary fire protection to an area with a permanent
population of 25,000 or less qualify for the grant. Reimbursement is available for specific fire
training classes, including the cost of training manuals and student workbooks up
to the maximum amount that is authorized. Only the following classes will be covered
by the grant: Volunteer Firefighter, Firefighter I Transition, Firefighter I, Firefighter II Transition, Firefighter I & II (combined), Certified Fire Safety Inspector, Fire Officer I. The following Ohio Fire Academy Courses will be covered by the grant: Fire Officer 2, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Structural Fire Attack 101, Training In Acquired Structures, Understanding Fire Behavior (Mobile Fire Lab). Training
grants awards are subject to availability of funds. Applications are posted mid December through the end of January annually.

The 2015 State Fire Marshal Training Reimbursement Grant application period is now closed.

MARCS Grant

The MARCS Grant is available to fire departments that serve 25,000 or less. The money can be used to purchase the systems, equipment, and/or services that are a part of, integrated into, or otherwise interoperable with the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS) operated by the State of Ohio with respect to providing fire protection services. Up to $50,000 per department is available through this grant. Fire departments can apply for this grant as a single agency or as part of a county-wide or regional effort.

National Fire Academy (NFA)

These funds are made available by the National Fire Academy and are administered
by the Ohio Fire Academy to support training initiatives of NFA courses in four
categories: Delivery of NFA hand-off courses in State and local areas; Delivery
of selected NFA regional and direct delivery courses; Endorsement Program courses;
and Chief Officer Training Curriculum.

The Ohio Fire Academy is responsible for applying for the grant from the National
Fire Academy. The Ohio Fire Academy then provides lower cost or free education to
Ohio firefighters.

Revolving Loan

The Small Government Fire Department Services Revolving Loan Program was created
by the General Assembly to assist local governments in funding certain fire department
major related expenses. A revolving loan can be used to expedite the purchase of
major firefighting, rescue or EMS equipment. It can also be used for the construction
or renovation of fire department buildings. Applications are posted mid December through the end of January annually.
The 2016 Revolving Application period is closed.

Award notifications for the 2016 Revolving Loan have been distributed.

Rural Community Financial Assistance (RCFA)

The RCFA is a matching program to cover the cost of tuition and lodging at the Division
of State Fire Marshal’s Ohio Fire Academy. Recipients are responsible for travel,
meals and other expenses. Only firefighters from communities serving a population
of less than 10,000 qualify. However, for multi-community projects, the 10,000 may
be exceeded, provided none of the communities in the project have more than 10,000
people. This fund will not cover cost incurred for state certification (Fire or
EMS) training.

Fire Department Equipment Grant

The Division of State Fire Marshal makes the Fire Department Equipment
Grant available to qualifying fire departments. Allowable equipment within the grant
includes protective clothing, SCBA, communications equipment and other miscellaneous
equipment. Eligible fire departments must serve a population of less than 25,000,
be in compliance with the Volunteer Firefighter Dependents Fund outlined in Ohio
Revised Code 146, and have submitted incident fire reports for the designated year.
The 2016 State Fire Marshal Equipment Grant application period is now closed.